Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Handcrafted Pottery & Ceramics Since 1975
Wilson Creek Pottery has been crafting hand-thrown ceramics with intentional artistry since 1975. Nestled in the rolling hills of Spring Green, Wisconsin, our studio celebrates 50 years of creating functional pottery that balances simplicity with distinctive character. Each piece is meticulously formed by potter Ashley Pfannenstiel, whose expertise ensures every mug, bowl, and plate embodies both practicality and aesthetic beauty. Our process begins with wheel-throwing and culminates in carefully monitored kiln firings that produce unique glaze patterns through natural flame movement.Co-founder Shannon Porter manages business operations while maintaining quality control during production stages. Our work reflects a commitment to handmade authenticity, where slight variations between pieces serve as proof of human craftsmanship rather than imperfection. We specialize in creating tableware that transitions seamlessly between everyday use and display, offering both in-store selections and customizable online orders for complete dish sets. Our physical studio remains open daily for direct customer engagement with our evolving inventory.
Services
Pottery
Plates
Dish Sets
Custom Orders
Retail Shop
Details
- Year established: 1975
Highlights and features
- We offer 50 years of dedicated ceramic craftsmanship
- Each piece is individually hand-thrown by experienced artisans
- Our kiln-firing process creates unique glaze patterns in every piece
- We maintain strict quality control from start to finish
- We provide customizable dish sets with multiple glaze options
Services
Handcrafted Pottery
Our hand-thrown pottery combines functional design with artistic expression. Each piece undergoes a meticulous creation process starting with wheel-throwing and ending with controlled kiln firings that produce unique glaze patterns. Our artisans ensure every item maintains both practical utility and aesthetic appeal while preserving slight variations that highlight their handmade nature. Customers appreciate how these pieces enhance everyday meals while serving as decorative elements when displayed.
Custom Dish Sets
We offer fully customizable dish sets through periodic online ordering. Customers select specific forms, quantities, and glaze combinations to create personalized collections. Our system allows mixing different glazes within a single set while maintaining cohesive design principles. Each order receives careful attention during production to ensure consistent quality across all pieces. This service caters to those seeking unique tableware solutions that reflect individual preferences rather than mass-produced uniformity.
Studio Retail Shop
Our physical studio operates daily with a rotating inventory of ready-made pieces. Visitors experience firsthand the craftsmanship behind our ceramics while selecting from current stock. The shop showcases both completed works and ongoing production processes, providing insight into our artisanal methods. Inventory changes regularly according to firing schedules, offering fresh selections throughout the year. This direct sales channel allows customers to examine pieces in person before making selections.
Glaze Development
Our glazing process emphasizes natural kiln effects that create distinctive patterns on each piece. Through controlled firing techniques, we achieve complex color interactions that enhance the functional forms. The glazes develop unique characteristics during high-temperature exposure, resulting in one-of-a-kind visual effects. This approach prioritizes organic beauty over standardized finishes, ensuring no two pieces share identical surface qualities while maintaining durability for everyday use.
Production Firing
We oversee every firing cycle with meticulous attention to temperature and atmospheric conditions. Our 30-hour firing process allows natural flame movement to interact with glaze surfaces, creating depth and complexity in the finished pieces. This traditional method requires constant monitoring to achieve optimal results while preserving the integrity of each form. The resulting variations demonstrate our commitment to handcrafted authenticity over industrial uniformity.
People
Ashley Pfannenstiel
Potter
Ashley Pfannenstiel leads all ceramic production, handling wheel-throwing and glaze firing processes. With decades of experience, she maintains quality control from initial shaping to final kiln results. Her expertise ensures each piece balances functionality with artistic expression while preserving the handmade character that defines Wilson Creek Pottery's work.
Shannon Porter
Business Operations
Shannon Porter manages business operations and contributes to production workflow. As co-founder, she oversees day-to-day studio management while maintaining quality standards during intermediate production stages. Her role ensures operational efficiency while supporting the artistic vision that has sustained Wilson Creek Pottery for five decades.
Questions
How do I order custom dish sets?
Custom sets require placing orders during our periodic online openings. Select forms, quantities, and glaze combinations through our website when orders are available.
Are pieces dishwasher safe?
All our ceramic wares are designed for practical use and are fully dishwasher safe while maintaining durability through repeated cleanings.
Can I visit the studio in person?
Our Spring Green studio is open daily 10AM-6PM for in-person shopping. You can view and purchase ready-made pieces directly at our location.
Why do pieces vary in appearance?
Each item is handmade with slight variations in form and glaze patterns. These differences highlight our commitment to artisanal craftsmanship over mass-produced uniformity.
How long does firing take?
Our kiln firings last approximately 30 hours, allowing natural flame movement to create unique glaze effects while ensuring structural integrity of each piece.
Reviews (5)
Carly Kuhn
Jan 28, 2022
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The absolute best! Love these folks and their amazing products. I have had many pieces of Wilson Creek's pottery over the years -- it's all still as solid and as beautiful as ever!
Grant Erickson
Nov 07, 2021
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Busy given its rural location. Parking was in a grassy area adjacent to their drive. Overflow parking was across the road. Interesting that the cashier greeted the couple in front of me, but after giving me an abrupt appraisal seemed to have a mental dismissal and got busy greeting those who followed me in.
Products on display in 2 areas, 1 of which immediately precedes the entrance way to the right. In the back one of the artisans was busy at her craft and answering questions too. Craft prices on the wares for the uninitiated.
Products on display in 2 areas, 1 of which immediately precedes the entrance way to the right. In the back one of the artisans was busy at her craft and answering questions too. Craft prices on the wares for the uninitiated.
Eve Smallwood
May 07, 2021
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A lovely studio with many beautiful pieces of pottery. I had a hard time choosing between all the awesome glazes. I ended up buying 2 pieces and have really enjoyed them - I'll definitely be stopping back through to expand my collection.
Jo Preston
Feb 15, 2021
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Lovely people and art. We don't even cry when we break something. It gives us a chance to get a new piece. Bonus, Mildred the potter dog helped to socialize our puppy:)
Polly Tubbs
Jan 10, 2021
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If you value & enjoy handmade functional pottery , Wilson Creek will make you very happy! The glaze colors are earth tones & make my soso cooking a work of art